Bellingen was created in response to a design problem. We faced serious limitations in the production of a previous lamp known as “Wood Lamp”. Despite its straightforward name, the original design proved too complex and costly to produce, requiring CNC machining, custom tooling, and intricate jigs. Manufacturing inefficiencies, high rejection rates, and the shutdown of its Queensland supplier made ongoing production unsustainable.
The Bellingen addressed these challenges with a simplified, more efficient build that celebrated its timber base rather than concealing it beneath a large plastic diffuser. The result is a rechargeable cordless table lamp that combines practical performance with the appeal of handcrafted, natural wood.
The Bellingen Spring featured at Madeline Hotel & Residences, an Auberge Resort, Telluride
Starting With Simplicity: Iconic Inspiration
The Bellingen cordless table lamp began with a simple shape on screen—early CAD drawings of a timber base inspired by the form of a vase. The design also drew indirect influence from the iconic Kikkoman soy sauce bottle by Japanese industrial designer Kenji Ekuan.
Early versions stood taller at 230 mm, but by mid-2020 the lamp was refined to a more compact 160 mm, with a fuller, more sculptural profile and a brass collar adding contrast. Local craftsman Jack Buchanan produced the first timber prototype, with a trial run following later that year under the constraints of COVID-19 restrictions.
Sustainable Craftsmanship: Camphor Laurel Timber
The lamp is crafted from locally sourced Camphor Laurel—an invasive species in the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, where NEOZ’s origins are rooted. This richly grained wood, with heartwood shades ranging from pale brown to deep reddish streaks, offers natural antibacterial properties, fine texture, and a high lustre.
Finished in a clear, natural hard wax oil, it combines durability with a tactile warmth, making it equally suited to indoor settings, outdoor restaurant lighting, or as a mini table lamp in intimate spaces.
La Rocca di Castelfalfi features the Bellingen paired with a green glass lampshade
A Modern Candlelight: Form and Glow
Bellingen’s silhouette—a solid timber base paired with a softly glowing glass shade—is a contemporary nod to candlelight. The vertical lines of the pleated or ribbed glass add a subtle architectural note, balancing the organic form of the base. Its diffused light creates a warm, flattering ambience, perfect for layered lighting in dining or lounge settings. As a minimalist table lamp, it blends naturally with Scandinavian, Japandi, or modern interiors.
Glass Shades with Character
Available in green, amber, or frosted finishes, the glass shades add colour in a muted, calming way, harmonising with the wood to evoke a connection to nature. The pleated glass gently scatters light for a soft glow, while pairing the base with cotton lampshades creates a more traditional, downward-focused illumination. Every element of the Bellingen reflects a careful balance of craft, efficiency, and atmosphere—rooted in local materials, refined through thoughtful design, and made to last.
Explore the Bellingen Collection.
